Ball-point writing instrument



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Patented Nov. 16, 1948 EJNHTED STATES PATNT OFFICE BALL-PONT WRITINGINSTRUMENT Application August 16, 1946, Serial No. 690,971

18 Claims.

This invention relates to ball-point writing instruments and has to doparticularly with such instruments having an improved projection andretraction mechanism for moving the writing point between a, non-writingposition concealed in the casing and an exposed writing positionprojecting from the casing.

An object of the present invention is to provide a ball-point writinginstrument having an improved mechanism for effecting relative movementof the writing point and a housing therefor between a position whereinthe point is exposed for writing and a position wherein the point isconcealed within the housing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ball-point writinginstrument having a readily removable and replaceablepoint-and-cartridge unit, and an improved mechanism for effectingprojection and retraction movement of the unit between a position inwhich the point is exposed for writing and a position in which the pointis concealed within the casing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ball-point writinginstrument having a projecting and retracting mechanism for moving thepoint between an exposed writing position and a concealed non-writingposition and wherein the user may detach and remove the ink reservoirmeans for replacement without disturbing the relationship of the partsforming the projecting and retracting mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ballfpoint writinginstrument having a readily removable and replaceable point-andcartridgeunit mounted in the casing for projection and retraction movement andwherein the unit may be inserted in or removed from the casing by asimple push or pull manipulation and without disconnection or removal ofany of the other parts of the instrument.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ball-point writinginstrument wherein the Writing point is movable beween exposed andconcealed positions by a simple manipulation of an actuating member andin which the writing element is positively connected to the actuatingmember and is under the control of the latter throughout its propel andrepel movements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ball-point writinginstrument having a mechanism for moving the Writing point between aneX- posed, writing position and a concealed, nonwriting position whereinmovement of the point is effected only upon positive manipulation of themechanism through a substantial movement and the mechanism is notsubject to accidental actuation.

Another object is to provide a simple and sturdy ball-point writinginstrument having a pointand-cartridge unit which is readily removableand replaceable and mechanism for effecting projection and retractionaction of the unit in the casing to expose or conceal the point, whichinstrument is easy to manufacture and assemble, and which will operateeffectively for a long period of use, without requiring adjustment orrepair of the parts.

Other and more specific objects of the invention are to provide aball-point writing instrument having a projecting and retractingmechanism actuated by a turning movement of a rear end cap about theaxis of the instrument; to provide a point-andcartridge unit which canbe removed through the front end of the instrument without disturbingthe projecting and retracting mechanism; to provide a simple and quicklydetachable connection between a point-and-cartridge unit and aprojecting and retracting mechanism; to provide a projecting andretracting mechanism which can be inserted in or removed from the casingas a unit.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing description and from the appended `drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of al writing instrumentconstructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of my invention,showing the ball writing point in its forward or projected position;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to Fig. l but showingthe ball writing point in its rearward 0r retracted position;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinal sectional view of aportion of the structure of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 5 5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of another preferred embodimentof my invention and showing the ball writing point in its forward orprojected position;

Fig '7 is a longitudinal sectional View similar to Fig. 6 but showingthe writing point in its rearward or retracted position;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinal sectional View of aportion of the structure of Fig. 6, certain of the parts being shown inelevation;

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional view taken along line Ill- I of Fig.8;

Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional view taken along line II--II of Fig.8; and

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary top plan view of a portion of the structure ofFig. 1.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. l to ofthe drawings. Referring now particularly to Fig. 1, the writinginstrument includes a housing or barrel I formed with an enlarged boreIb defining a chamber open at its rear end to receive a projecting andretracting mechanism hereinafter described. The forward end Ic of thebarrel I preferably is tapered and is formed with a small bore Iaadapted to receive and guide the forward end of a point-andcartridgeunit 3 mounted for axial displacement in the barrel I. A tip member 2which may be formed separately from the barrel I is secured at its rearend 2b to the front end of the body portion` of the barrel I, as byspinning or crimping, and forms a portion of t'ne barrel or housing I.The tip member 2 has a bore 2a through which the point-and-cartridgeunit 3 is adapted to project. The tip member 2 preferably is splitthroughout a substantial portion of its length and is sufcientlyresilient so that the walls of the bore 2a frictionally but yieldinglyengage the point-and-cartridge unit 3 to prevent unintended axialdisplacement thereof in the barrel I.

The point-and-cartridge unit 3 includes a generally tubular body 5defining an ink reservoir adapted to contain a quantity of relativelyviscous ink suitable for use with a ball writing element. At its forwardend the body 5 is formed with a seat adapted to receive and retain aball writing element or point 4. Since the details of the ball seat formno part of the present invention, the seat is not illustrated ordescribed in detail; it will be understood, however, that the ballwriting element 4 is suitably supported for free rotation in its seatduring writing and receives ink from the reservoir in such manner thatthe writing element functions in the usual manner to apply the ink tothe writing surface when the instrument is used in writing.

At its rearward end the point-and-cartridge is releasably received andengaged by a resilient bushing 6 (Fig. 3) preferably formed of amaterial such as sponge rubber. The bushing 6 is formed with an axialbore 6a normally of slightly less diameter than the rearward end of thepointand-cartridge unit 3 and adapted to yieldingly and resilientlyreceive the latter and retain it against unintentional displacement. Inorder to assist in guiding the rear end of the unit 3 into the bore 6a,the latter may be provided with a flared forward end 6b. The bushing 6is mounted in a cup 1 having a open forward end and a rear wall 'lasubstantially closing the rear end of the cup 'I and providing anabutment for the rear end of the bushing 6 and the unit3. Thus the cup'I and bushing I5 together form a holder for the rear end of thepoint-and-cartridge unit 3. The point-and-cartridge unit 3 may beassembled in the barrel I by inserting it through the opening 2c in thetip member 2 and the bore I a in the end of the barrel I and seating itsrear or inner end in the bushing 6. The point-and-cartridge unit 3 maybe removed by merely pulling it out of the barrel I through the forwardend of the latter.

` The point-and-cartridge unit and the Securing means therefor aredisclosed and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 610,423,filed August 13, 1945.

The pointandcartridge unit 3 is mounted in the barrel I for projectionand retraction movement relative to the barrel between a positionwherein the writing element 4 is exposed for writing and a positionwherein the writing element is concealed within'the barrel. A projectingand retracting mechanism is provided for effecting movement of thepoint-and-cartridge unit upon a turning movement of an actuating memberabout the axis of the barrel of the writing instrument.

In carrying out the invention, the cup 'I is mounted on the rear end ofa tube I5, preferably by telescoping the forward end of the cup 1 withthe rear end of the tube I5, and the cup 1 preferably is secured on thetube I5 as by crimping or spinning the end of the cup into a groove I5bformed in the tube I5. The tube I5 forms a part of the propel-repelmechanism and is mounted coaxially with the barrel for rotation abouttheir mutual axis and for axial displacement in the barrel.

A bushing IE! is telescoped into the rear open end of the barrel I andis removably but rmly secured in the barrel as by a threaded connection5 therewith. The bushing I0 is formed forwardly of the threadedconnection 9 with a helical slot II adapted to receive and guide a studor projection I6 extending radially outwardly from the tube I5. Uponrotation of the tube I5 about its axis, the stud I6 is caused to advancealong the slot I I, forwardly or backwardly, depending upon thedirection of rotation of the tube I5, thereby effecting a correspondingaxial displacement of the tube I5 in the bushing IU. The bushing I0 isprovided with a head or flange I 0a, at its rearward end adapted to abutthe rearward end edge of the barrel I and thus accurately position thebushing Ill.

A sleeve I2 (Fig. 3) is telescopingly interposed between the bushing I0and the tube I5 and is rotatable in the bushing I Il but held againstaxial displacement therein. A crescent key I3 (see also Fig. 5) seatedin circumferential groove I2a in the sleeve I2 and in a complementaryarcuate slotI IDb in the bushing I0 embraces the sleeve throughapproximately and locks it against axial displacement in the bushing IB.The key i3 is held in place by an arcuate spring band I4 sprung over thebushing I0 and engaging it throughout substantially more than half itscircumference. The bore I lr of the barrel I is enlarged sufficientlyadjacent its rear end to receive the spring band I4.

The sleeve I2 is provided with an elongated slot I2b extendinglongitudinally thereof and which slidably receives the projection I6extending radially from the tube I5. The sleeve I2 thus drivinglyengages the projection I6, whereby, when the sleeve I2 is rotated, iteffects corresponding rotation of the tube I5. The elongated slot I 2bpermits the projection I6 to be advanced longitudinally of the barrel Iand along the slot I I even though the sleeve I2 is firmly held againstaxial displacement in the barrel I.

The sleeve I2 preferably is rotated by a cap I1 which serves as anactuating member for the projecting and retracting mechanism. Inaddition, the cap I'I preferably closes the rear open end of the barreland serves to house and conceal the rearward portion of the projectingand retracting mechanism and the cup 1. The cap Il includes inner andouter members I8 and I9, ref

spectively, which are generally cylindrical in form and are securedtogether at their forward ends as by Welding and are secured together attheir rearward ends as by crimping or spinning to a threaded bushing 2liwhich may be employed to attach a pocket clip 2i (Figs. 1 and 2) of anysuitable construction. The inner tubular member i8 is adapted totelescope over and frictionally engage a rearwardly projecting extensionI2C of the sleeve i2, whereby the cap il is frictionally held inposition on the rearwardly projecting portion of the projecting andretracting mechanism and is in driving engagement therewith wherebyrotation of the cap effects corresponding rotation of the sleeve i5. Theforward end of the tubular member i8 is expanded outwardly to allow itto fit over the head iba of the bushing lil and to clear the lattersuniciently to prevent any rubbing between these members when the cap isrotated.

The rear end of the extension itc is open to the interior of the cap iland thus vents the interior of the extension to the interior of the capil. The latter may be vented to the atmosphere in any suitable mannerbut ordinarily will be adequately vented by leakage of air through thebushing 26 at the rear end. Thus air can pass into the cap il, throughthe opening l'b in the cap l', thence through the space 3 and into the'tube 5.

In operation the point-and-cartridge unit 3 is projected or retracted toexpose or conceal, respectively, the writing element l by turning thecap il about its aXis of the barrel l. Assuming the unit 3 to be in itsretracted position, as illustrated in Fig. 2, when the cap Il is turnedin a clockwise direction (as viewed from the rear end of theinstrument), the cap frictionally drives the sleeve l2 thereby to rotatethe latter and cause the projection i5 to advance along the slot l l andproject the tubular member i5 carrying the point-and-cartridge unit 3.The writing element 4 is advanced and projected from the barrel (andthrough the tip member where one is employed in connection with thebarrel) into exposed writ ing position, as illustrated in Fig. l. Withthe writing element in projected position, counterclockwise rotation ofthe cap il will effect a reverse or retracting action of the mechanismto retract the writing element into the barrel and into its concealed,non-writing position.

Means are provided for retaining the writing point l in projectedposition against the pressure applied thereto in Writing which tends tourge the writing point (i (and the unit 3) rearwardly relatively to thebarrel i. rlhis is accomplished in the present invention by soconstructing the projecting and retracting mechanism that it cannot beactuated merely by applying pressure on the writing point 4 to retractthe unit 3 but is only actuated when the actuating sleeve it is turnedas by turning the cap il. A notch lla (Fig. 12) is provided in the slotil into which the stud le enters as the mechanism is actuated to propelthe unit. The side wall of the notch lia serves as a stop to limitfurther movement of the stud i6. The rear wall of the notch Ha serves asan. abutment which prevents the stud from being moved rearwardly whenpressure is applied to the writing point The notch i la is so formedthat there is no interference with the reverse movement of the stud l5out of the notch when the mechanism is actuated to repel the unit.

The point-andcartridge unit 3 may be removed and replaced, wheneverdesired, as for example, when the ink therein is exhausted, by

simply propelling it until the forward end can be grasped and thenmanually withdrawing it through the forward end of the barrel. The unit3 is held in the barrel merely .by the friction exerted by the resilientbushing (assisted to a ight degree by the friction exerted on the unitby the walls of the bore 2a in the tip member), and consequently thereare no fastening means which must be uncoupled or disconnected torelease the unit 3. A replacement unit similar to the withdrawn unit maybe inserted in the barrel by merely guiding the rear end into the bore2a of the tip and thereafter pushing the unit 3 into the instrumentuntil it enters the bore 6a of the bushing 6 and seats against the endwall ia. The instrument is then in condition for writing. If for anyreason it is desired to remove the projecting and retracting mechanismfrom the bar`- rel l, this may be done conveniently by merely removingthe cap l? and unscrewing the bushing H3. The flange ita providesconvenient means which can be grasped by the ngers or by a suitable toolfor unscrewing the bushing lli. The projecting and retracting mechanismis formed as a unit carried by the bushing iii and thus the entiremechanism can be removed as a unit from the barrel l. The projecting andretracting mechanism may be replaced by screwing it into the barrel inan obvious manner.

There is illustrated in Figs. 6 to ll, inclusive, another embodiment ofmy invention. In this form of the invention there is employed apointand-cartriolge unit having an ink reservoir of somewhat greaterdiameter than the reservoir of the embodiment illustrated in Figs. l to5 and which unit is removable through the rear end instead of the frontend of the barrel.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 6, the writing instrument includes abarrel 25 which is generally r similar to, but preferably somewhatlonger, than the barrel of the preferred embodiment. The barrel y25' isformed with an enlarged bore Bb to receive a point-and-cartridge unit Seand a propel-repel mechanism, both of which are more fully describedhereinafter.

rIhe point-and-cartridge unit 3Q includes an ink cartridge 2'! having anink reservoir and adapted to contain an ink suitable for use in a.ball-point Writing instrument, as for example, a relatively thickviscous ink. The cartridge may, if desired, include means (not shown)for conn tinuously maintaining the ink under pressure tending to urge itfrom the reservoir through a discharge outlet 35a formed in a portion $5of the cartridge 21. The cartridge 2l includes a coupling member 32 bywhich it is connected to a feed element 28 having one or more feed sagesor channels 2gb therein leading from the discharge outlet 35a and intofeeding relation with a ball writing element 29 seated at the forwardend of the unit 3G. The forward end of the unit 3l! extends into and isguided in a reduced bore 25a, and .is adapted to be projected through abore 25a in a split tip member 26 at the forward end of the barrel 25.

The point-and cartridge unit 3i] is mounted for projecting andretracting movement generally similar to the movement of the unit i andthe mechanism for eecting projecting and retracting the unit 3G isgenerally similar to that illustrated in Figs. l to 5. Accordingly,where the projecting and retracting mechanism illustrated in Figs. 6 to11 is not described in detail it will be understood that it is similarto the previously described mechanism.

The projecting and retracting mechanism includes a bushing 39 removablysecured in the open rear end of the barrel 25, as by screw threads 40.Formed in the forward portion of the bushing 39 is a helical slot 4lwhich receives and guides a stud or projection 3l extending radiallyfrom the point-and-cartridge unit 39 adjacent the rear end thereof.Telescopingly interposed between the bushing 39 and the rear end of theunit 3D and rotatable in the former is a sleeve 42 having an elongated,longitudinally extending slot 4219 which slidably receives the stud 31,whereby the sleeve 42 drivingly engages the stud 31. The sleeve 42 isrmly held against longitudinal displacement by a crescent key 43disposed in a slot 42a in the sleeve 42 and a slot 39e in the bushing4?, and held in place by a spring band 44 sprung into a groove 39a, inthe bushing 39.

The sleeve 42 extends rearwardly 0f the bushing 39 and frictionallyreceives a cap 45 by which the sleeve 42 is rotated; the cap 45 alsocloses the end of the barrel and incloses the projecting portion of thesleeve 42.

The projecting and retracting action of 'this embodiment of theinvention is generally similar to that of the above describedembodiment, II, when the unit 39 is in retracting position, as shown inFig. 7, the cap 45 is turned in a clockwise direction (as viewed fromthe read end of the instrument) the unit is thereby propelled to projectthe ball-point 29 out of the tip member 25 and into exposed writingposition; a reverse movement of the cap 45 causes the unit 30 to bemoved into concealed, non-writing position within the barrel 25.

In order that the unit 30 may be removed and replaced, whenthe ink isexhausted, the unit 3D is removable through the rear end of the barrel25 and is detachable from the projecting and retracting mechanism. Toremove the unit 30, the cap 4S is removed and the bushing 39 isunscrewed from the barrel 25, the unit 30 being withdrawn, along withthe projecting and retracting mechanism which latter is removable as aunit. The head 39d provides convenient means for gripping the bushing bythe ngers or a suitable tool for unscrewing the bushing. After removalof the bushing 39 and unit 3D, the latter may be detached from theformer by withdrawing the stud from the slot 4l, a straight openendedslot portion 39h being provided for this purpose.

The rearward extension of the projecting and retracting mechanism onwhich the end cap is frictionally fitted may be Vented adjacent itsinner end in order that when the cap is applied or removed (especiallywhere this is done rapidly) no sudden pressure change will result withinthe instrument tending to pump ink. This venting preferably isaccomplished by providing vone or more vent openings adjacent the innerend of the extending portion of the projecting and retracting mechanismas for example the openings 42a (Fig. 6) in the rearward portion of thesleeve 42. It will be seen that as the cap 45 is moved rearwardly thevent openings 42a are uncovered to vent the interior of the sleeve 42 toatmosphere and relieve the vacuum which tends to be created by therearward movement of the cap 45.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention provides aball-point writing instrument wherein by a simple turning movement ofthe end cap, the writing element can be moved between a retractedposition concealed in the barrel and a projected position whereinthewriting element,

is exposed for writing. The projecting and retracting mechanism iscontinuously connected in positive driving relation with thepoint-and-car` tridge unit so that the latter is moved smoothly andevenly between projected and retracted positions, while permitting readydetachment of the unit from the projecting and retracting mechanism. Asubstantial turning movement of the cap is requiredto project or retractthe unit and there is no likelihood of the unit being moved accidentallyinto either of its positions.

The point-and-cartridge unit is readily removable from the barrel forreplacement by a simple -operation which can be performed by the user.

After replacement of the unit the instrument is in condition for writingand no adjustments are required. In one preferred embodiment of theinvention, the unit may be removed and replaced by merely withdrawingthe unit through the front end of the barrel and inserting thereplacement unit without the necessity for removing the rear end cap.

The projecting and retracting mechanism is readily removable foradjustment or repair if for any reason such is necessary, although, dueto the simplicity of the mechanism, the positive con nection between theseveral members and the absence of any critical adjustments, there islittle likelihood of the mechanism becoming inoperative and itordinarily will operate successfully for a long period of use withoutadjustment, repair, or replacement of parts.

I claim:

1. A ball-point writing instrument comprising a point-and-cartrdge unitincluding an ink reservoir, a ball writing element, and means forfeeding ink from said reservoir to said writing element, housing meansfor said unit including a barrel, an actuating member mounted forturning movement about the axis of said barrel and having at least aportion exposed for manual manipulation, and means driven by saidactuating member for effecting relative movement between said unit andsaid housing means between a position in which said writing element isexposed for writing and a position wherein said housing meanssubstantially incloses said writing element, respectively.

2. A ball-point writing instrument comprising a barrel, apoint-and-cartridge unit including an ink reservoir, a ball writingelement, and means for feeding ink from said reservoir to said writingelement, said unit being mounted in said barrel for projection andretraction movement between aA position wherein said writing element isexposed for writing and a position wherein said writing element isconcealed within said barrel, and actuating means including an actuatingmember mounted for turning movement about the axis of said barrel forprojecting and retracting said unit, respectively.

3. A ball-point writing instrument comprising a barrel, apoint-and-cartridge unit including an ink reservoir, a ball writingelement, and means for feeding ink from said reservoir to said writingelement, said unit being mounted in said barrel for projection andretraction movement between a position wherein said writing element isexposed for writing and a position wherein said writing element isconcealed within said barrel, an actuating member mounted for turningmovement about the axis of said barrel, and means actuated by turningmovement of said actuating member in one direction for projecting saidunit and in the opposite direction for retracting said unit,respectively.

4. A ball-point writing instrument comprising a barrel, apoint-and-cartridge unit including an ink reservoir, a ball writingelement, and means for feeding ink from said reservoir to said writingelement, said unit being mounted in said barrel for projection andvretraction movement between a position wherein said writing element isexposed for writing and a position wherein said writing element isconcealed within said barrel, an actuating member, and meanscontinuously connecting said unit to said actuating member for positivedriving actuation by said actuating member into projected and retractedpositions, respectively.

5. A ball-point writing instrument comprising a barrel, apoint-and-cartridge unit including an ink reservoir, a ball writingelement, and means for feeding ink from said reservoir to said writingelement, said unit being mounted in said barrel for projection andretraction movement between a position wherein said writing element isexposed for writing and a position wherein said writing element isconcealed within said barrel, an actuating member mounted at the rearend of said barrel for turning movement about the axis of said barrel,and means including a screw drive between said actuating member and saidunit and effective upon a turning movement of said actuating member forprojecting and retracting said unit, respectively.

6. A ball-point writing instrument comprising a barrel, apoint-and-cartridge unit including an ink reservoir, a ball writingelement, and means for feeding ink from said reservoir to said writingelement, said unit being mounted in said barrel for projection andretraction movement between a position wherein said writing element isexposed for writing and a position wherein said writing element isconcealed within said barrel, and means for projecting and retractingsaid unit, respectively, includinfj a first actuating element having ahelical slot extending therealong,

a second actuating element having a stud riding A i in said helical slotwhereby relative rotation of said actuating elements effects relativeaxial displacement thereof. means connecting one of said actuatingelements to said unit and thev other of said actuating elements to saidbarrel, and means for effecting relative rotation of said actuatingelements.

7. A ball-point writing instrument comprising a barrel, apoint-and-cartridge unit including an ink reservoir, a ball writingelement, and means for feeding ink from said reservoir to said writingelement, said unit being mounted in said barrel for projection andretraction movement between a position wherein said writing element isexposed for writing and a position wherein said writing element isconcealed within said barrel, and means for projecting and retractingsaid unit, respectively, including a first actuating element having ahelical slot extending therealong, a second actuating element having astud riding in said helical slot whereby rotation of said actuatingelements eects relative axial displacement thereof, means connecting oneof said actuating elements to said barrel and the other of saidactuating elements to said unit and means including a member interposedbetween said actuating elements and said stud for effecting relativerotation of said actuating elements.

8. A ball-point writing instrument comprising a barrel, apoint-and-cartridge unit includ- 10 ing an ink reservoir, a ball writingelement, and means for feeding ink from said reservoir to said writingelement, said unit being mounted in said barrel for projection andretraction movement between a position wherein said writing element isexposedy for writing, and a position wherein said writing element isconcealed within said barrel, and means for projecting and retractingsaid unit including a bushing secured in said barrel and having ahelical slot extending therealong, a stud connected to said unit andriding in said helical slot whereby rotation of said unit in saidbushing effects axial displacement of said unit, a sleeve rotatablymounted in said bushing and drivingly engaging said stud,l and manuallyoperableY means for rotating said sleeve.

9. A bail-point writing instrument comprising a barrel, apoint--and-cartridge unit including an ink reservoir, a ball writingelement, and meansfor feeding ink from said reservoir to said writingelement, said unit being mounted in said barrel for projection andretraction movement between a position wherein said writing element isexposed for writing, and a position wherein said writing element isconcealed within said barrel, and means for projecting and retractingsaid unit including a bushing secured in said barrel and having ahelical slot therein, a stud connected to said unit and riding in saidhelical slot whereby rotation of said unit in said bushing eiects axialdisplacement of said unit, a sleeve rotatable in said bushing anddrivingly engaging said stud, means retaining said sleeve against axialdisplacement in said bushing, and manually operable means for rotatingsaid sleeve.

10il A ball-point writing instrument comprising' a barrel, apoint-and-cartridge unit including an ink reservoir, a ball writingelement, and means for feeding ink from said reservoir to said writingelement, said unit being mounted in said barrel for projection andretraction movement between a position wherein said Writing element isexposed for writing and a position wherein'said writing element isconcealed within said barrel, and means for projecting and retractingsaid unit including a bushing secured in said bar-rel, and having ahelical slot extending therealong, a stud connected to said unit andriding in said helical slot whereby rotation of said unit in saidbushing effects axial displacement of said unit, a sleeve rotatablymounted in said bushing and having a longitudinally extending slottherein receiving said stud whereby said sleeve drivingly engages saidstud, and manually operable means for rotating said sleeve.

11. A ball-point writing instrument comprising a barrel, apoint-and-cartridge unit including an ink reservoir, a ball writingelement, and means for feeding ink from said reservoir to said writingelement, said unit being mounted in said barrel for projection andretraction movement between a position wherein said writing element isexposed for writing and a position wherein said writing element isconcealed within said barrel, and means for projecting and retractingsaid unit including a bushing secured in said barrel and having ahelical slot therein, a stud connected to said unit and riding in saidhelical slot whereby rotation of said unit in said bushing effects axialdisplacement of said unit, a sleeve rotatable in said bushing anddrivingly engaging said stud, means including a key interposed betweenand circumferentially engaging said bushing and said sleeve forretaining said sleeve against longitudinal displacement, retaining saidsleeve against 12. A ball-point writing instrument comprising a barrelhaving open front and rear ends, a point-and-cartridge unit including anink reservoir, a ball writing element, and means for feeding ink fromsaid reservoir to said writing element, said unit being mounted forprojection and retraction movement in said barrel between a positionwherein said writing element is exposed for writing and a positionwherein said writing element is concealed within said barrel, and meansprojecting and retracting said unit including a driving element havingat least a portion thereof projecting from the open rear end of saidbarrel and rotatable about the axis of said barrel, and a rotatable capinclosing said projecting portion of said driving element andinfrictional driving engagement therewith.

13. A ball-point writing instrument comprising a barrel having openfront `and rear ends, a pointand-cartridge unit including an inkreservoir, a ball writing element, and means for feeding ink from saidreservoir to said writing element, said unit being mounted forprojection and retraction movement in said barrel between a positionwherein said writing element is exposed for writing and a positionwherein said writing element is concealed within said barrel, and meansfor projecting and retracting said unit including driving meansconnected to said unit for effecting projection and retraction movementthereof, said driving means being threadedly secured in said barrel witha portion projecting therefrom and being removable as a unit from saidbarrel, and a rotatable cap inclosing said projecting portion of saiddriving means and in frictional driving engagement therewith.

14. A ball-point writing instrument comprising a barrel having an openforward end, a pointand-cartridge unit insertable through the openforward end of said barrel, including an ink reservoir, a ball writingelement, means mounting said writing element at one end of said unit andmeans for feeding ink from said reservoir to said writing element, meansfor mounting said unit in said barrel for projection and retractionmovement between a position wherein said writing element is exposed forwriting and a position wherein said writing element is concealed withinsaid barrel, means carried by said mounting means and releasablyengageable with said unit for detachably connecting said unit to saidmounting means, and actuating means for projecting and retracting saidunit.

15. A ball-point writing instrument comprising a barrel having an openforward end, a pointand-cartridge unit insertable through said openforward end of said barrel, including an ink reservoir, a ball writingelement, means mounting said writing element at one end of said unit andmeans for feeding ink from said reservoir to said writing element, meansmounting said unit in said barrel for projection and retraction movementbetween a position wherein said Writing element is exposed for writingand a position wherein said writing element is concealed within saidbarrel, means lcarried by said mounting means for receiving andfrictionally engaging said unit to detachably connect said unit to "saidmounting means, whereby said unit may be inserted through the openforward end of said barrel into connecting frictional engagement withsaid connecting means and may be detached and removed through said openforward end'of said barrel, and actuating means for-'projecting andretracting said unit.

16. A ball-point writing instrument compris# ing a barrel having an openforward end, a point-` and-cartridge unit insertable through said openforward end of said barrel, including an ink reservoir, a ball writingelement, means mounting said writing element at one end of said unit andmeans for feeding ink from said reservoir to said writing element, meansfor mounting said unit in said barrel for projection and retractionmovement between a position wherein said writing element is exposed forwriting and a position wherein said writing element is concealed withinsaid barrel, means carried by said mounting means and including ayieldable, resilient element having a socket therein for yieidinglyreceiving and frictionally gripping the rearward end portion of saidunit to detachably connect said unit to said mounting means, wherebysaid unit may be inserted through the open forward end of said barrelinto connecting frictional engagement with said connecting means and maybe detached and removed through said open forward end of said barrel,and actuating means for projecting and retracting said unit.

17. A ball-point writing instrument comprising a barrel, apoint-and-cartridge unit in said barrel and including an ink reservoir,a ball writing element and ,means for feeding ink from said reservoir tosaid writing element, said unit being mounted in said barrel formovement between a position wherein said Writing element is exposed forwriting and a position concealed in said barrel, a manually operableactuating member, and screw means driven by said actuating member forprojecting and retracting said unit.

n 18. A ball-point writing instrument comprising a barrel, apoint-and-cartridge unit in said barrel and including an ink reservoir,a ball writing element and means for feeding ink from said reservoir tosaid writing element, said unit being mounted in said barrel formovement between a position wherein said writing element is exposed forwriting and a position'concealed in said barrel, an end cap closing therear end of said barrel and manually movable relatively to said barrel,and means actuated by movement of said cap relatively to said barrel forprojecting and retracting said unit.

ROBERT W. RANDOLPH.

No references cited.

